Barely three days, after the All Progressives Congress, APC, transition committee urged the newly sworn-in Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo to investigate the true ownership of the Museum of West Africa Arts, MOWAA, a group under the aegis of
Aiguobasinmwin Movement has called on the governor to revoke the Certificate -of- Occupancy of the Museum.
DAILY POST recalls that the APC transition committee had on Monday, November 11, 2024, during the presentation of its report to the then Governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo, recommended among others that the governor investigate the true ownership of the Ossiomo power plant, Radisson Blu Hotel as well as the Museum of West Africa Arts, MOWAA.
The Chairman of the committee, Dr Pius Odubu, the former Deputy Governor of the state who presented the reports to the governor said the people deserved to know the state’s equity in the companies as “the outgoing government went blank on the inquiries.
The Aiguobasinmwin Movement in a peaceful protest in Benin City on Thursday urged Governor Monday Okpebholo to immediately revoke the C-of-O of the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA), and convert same into a public hospital for the benefit of the people.
DAILY POST reported that Governor Obaseki-led administration had in 2022 demolished the 119-year-old Central Hospital, situated at Kings Square and in its place constructed MOWAA.
Speaking during the protest, the Founder/President of the Aiguobasinmwin Movement also known as “Oya-Yasinmwin-Evbomwan, Iyamu Osaro Culture, opined that the demolition of the hospital for the construction of a Museum was a misplaced priority.
Osaro Culture, however, accused the immediate past government in the state of converting funds made for the construction of the proposed Benin Royal Museum into building the MOWAA.
According to him, we are here today with the evidence before us to inform you that Obaseki deliberately diverted the money meant for the construction of Benin Royal Museum to build a Museum known as MOWAA which is situated within the premises of the old central hospital.
“His Excellency Sir, it will interest you to know that Obaseki’s act started 2 years ago when he went for Art Exhibition Programmes in Germany and other European countries wherein they announced the release of funds as part of their support for the construction of Benin Royal Museum as proposed by His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, Oba of Benin Kingdom.
“In light of the above, we want to humbly appeal to His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo to immediately revoke the C-of-O of MOWAA and convert it to People’s Hospital (General Hospital).
“That Edo State Government should immediately set machinery in motion to support our referred Palace to construct the proposed Benin Royal Museum
“That Edo State Government should immediately start the renovation of Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre that was shut down by Obaseki because he couldn’t grab our returned stolen Artefacts to continue to serve the purpose it was built”, he said.
The protest for the revocation of the C-of-O of MOWAA by the group came less than 72 hours after, the immediate past Governor completed his eight years of two tenures as governor of the state.
Group demands revocation of title document for Museum of Africa Arts in Benin